Even though I wrote here after Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals that the Suns weren't done until they were actually, well, done, I have to admit I didn't like their chances going into Game 4. But while watching them destroy Dallas in the second half last night, a feeling I haven't had in quite awhile came over me-what if this in fact the year the Suns win it all? The Suns have been to the Finals twice before, losing in six games to the Celtics in '76 and in six to the Bulls in '93. They have been as far as the WCF on a few other occasions. They have had a very successful franchise, for the most part, since their inception in 1969. But no titles.

That's not to say this is their best team ever. It isn't. At least talent-wise, that is. But top to bottom, this may be the toughest they've had. Rebellious, almost. From the pre-season, they've been cast aside as an also-ran due to injuries and roster changes. (Speaking of roster changes, would anyone trade Boris Diaw straight up for Joe Johnson right now? Don't even consider the draft picks the Suns also received. That's an even bigger bonus). The temptation here to go into specific players and their contributions is overwhelming, but that's not what these Suns are all about. The classic phrase about the whole being greater than the sum of its parts certainly applies to this team.

Back to my earlier mention of an NBA title. Suppose for a minute that the Suns get past Dallas and move on to the Finals, which is certainly a possibility. Detroit suddenly looks very beatable, much more so than they appeared to be at the onset of the playoffs. Admittedly, the Pistons are not a good matchup for the Suns. Too many big, athletic bodies. But the way they have faltered lately raises questions. How about the Miami Heat? A better matchup for the Suns. Phoenix has had decent success against the Heat the last couple seasons. If a regular season game means anything at this point, and it's debatable if it does, the Suns dropped 47 points on Miami in a single quarter earlier this season. Yes, Shaq would be a major factor down low against the Suns, but for how long? He would more than likely be significantly winded after a few stop and goes up and down the court, and it's been proven that you can practice for the Suns, but you can't re-create the tempo they bring.

As I've stated before, I have considered anything the Phoenix Suns do in the postseason gravy, as they say, based on what the experts predicted (and are still predicting). And if the Suns don't shoot well, they can lose in a big way. But I don't ever remember enjoying watching a team as much, or seeing a team so easy to embrace, as the Suns. For those of you in other parts of the country who have not had the opportunity to really follow this team, do yourself a favor and make it a point to see the rest of their games, however long this run lasts. And who knows, maybe it will turn into something you'll never forget. What a memorable, fantastic story that would be . . .

Thanks for taking the time to read.